ISRO's LVM3 Rocket Successfully Launches US BlueBird Block-2 Satellite
On December 24, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched a US-built communications satellite, BlueBird Block-2, aboard its heavy-lift LVM3 rocket. At 8:55 am from Sriharikota, the 43.5-metre 'Baahubali' rocket lifted off and ascended for about 15 minutes. Powered by two solid boosters, a liquid core stage and a cryogenic upper stage, LVM3 placed the 6,100 kg satellite into a 520 km low Earth orbit. The launch marked the sixth operational flight of LVM3.
